Suitability of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) stalks for medium density fiberboards production

The main objective of this study was to investigate the possibilities of utilizing stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) stalks as a fiber-nettle mixture at various percentages to produce fiberboards for general purposes. Also, we aimed to investigate the possibility of utilizing stinging nettle in panel production, thus helping overcome the raw material shortage that the industry is facing. As wood fiber, pine (Pinus nigra V.), beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and oak (Ouercus robur L.) fiber mixtures (30%, 35% and 35%, respectively) were utilized. In panel production the only variable tested was the addition of nettle stalks at various percentages to the wood fibers. The resultant panels were compared with the panels produced using 100% wood fiber. The results indicated that panels could be produced utilizing nettle stalks up to 40% addition without falling below the properties required in the standards. Higher addition levels diminished the elastic modulus and bending strength below the acceptable level. The observed results indicated that adding nettle stalks to the wood fibers to produce fiberboards at certain percentages would result in panels acceptable to the standards and would be of assistance to the raw material shortage in the Turkish panel industry. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.